A Nativity of Sandro Botticelli
‘Wrought in the troublous times of Italy
By Sandro Botticelli,’ when for fear
Of that last judgment, and last day drawn near
To end all labour and all revelry,
He worked and prayed in silence; this is she
That by the holy cradle sees the bier,
And in spice gifts the hyssop on the spear,
And out of Bethlehem, Gethsemane.
Between the gold sky and the green o’er head,
The twelve great shining angels, garlanded,
Marvel upon this face, wherein combine
The mother’s love that shone on all of us,
And maiden rapture that makes luminous
The brows of Margaret and Catherine.